A randomized study of two physiotherapeutic approaches after knee ligament reconstruction

Abstract

Little is known about whether physiotherapeutic knee classes provide additional benefits in the rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). In the present randomized study, we compare the results of a hospital-based programme, Knee-class Therapy (KT), with an individual programme with limited physiotherapy appointments, Guided Therapy (GT), 6 and 12 months after knee surgery, in terms of function, activity level, muscle strength, knee-joint stability and knee-joint mobility. After ACLR, 24 patients were randomized to the KT group and 27 to the GT group. Fourteen patients in the KT group and 24 in the GT group completed the physiotherapy appointments as prescribed. At 6 months after surgery, the median Lysholm knee score was significantly higher in the KT group. At the 12-month follow-up, the GT group's improvement in the Lysholm knee score was significantly greater than the KT group's. Non-compliance was high in the KT group. The subgroup analysis of the non-compliers in the KT group showed that their improvement in the Lysholm knee score between 0 and 12 months was significantly greater than that of the KT group's compliers. These results could indicate that an individual exercise programme with limited physiotherapy appointments might be as effective as physiotherapeutic knee classes.

• Anterior cruciate ligament
• Guiding Therapy
• Knee-class Therapy
• physiotherapy
• rehabilitation
• surgical reconstruction